Integrated circuits including conductive structures through a substrate and methods of making the same

ABSTRACT

An integrated circuit includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. At least one conductive structure continuously extends through the substrate. At least one sidewall of the at least one conductive structure is spaced from a sidewall of the substrate by an air gap.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of semiconductor, and more particularly, to integrated circuits including conductive structures through substrates and methods of making the same.

BACKGROUND

Since the invention of the integrated circuit, the semiconductor industry has experienced continual rapid growth due to continuous improvements in the integration density of various electronic components (i.e., transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors, etc.). For the most part, this improvement in integration density has come from repeated reductions in minimum feature size, allowing for the integration of more components into a given area.

These integration improvements are essentially two-dimensional (2D) in nature, in that the volume occupied by the integrated components is essentially on the surface of the semiconductor wafer. Although dramatic improvements in lithography have resulted in considerable improvements in 2D integrated circuit formation, there are physical limits to the density that can be achieved in two dimensions. One of these limits is the minimum size needed to make these components. Also, when more devices are put into one chip, more complex designs are required.

Three-dimensional integrated circuits (3D IC) are therefore created to resolve the above-discussed limitations. In a conventional formation process of 3D IC, two wafers, each including an integrated circuit, are formed. The wafers are then bonded with the devices aligned. Deep vias are then formed to interconnect devices on the first and second wafers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale and are used for illustration purposes only.

In fact, the numbers and dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary integrated circuit including a conductive structure through a substrate.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of forming an integrated circuit including a conductive structure through a substrate.

FIGS. 3A-3I are schematic cross-sectional views of an integrated circuit during various fabrication stages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Much higher device density has been achieved using 3D IC technology, and in some applications up to six layers of wafers have been bonded. As a result, the total wire length is significantly reduced. Accordingly, 3D IC technology has the potential of being the mainstream technology of the next generation.

Conventional methods for forming 3D IC also include die-to-wafer bonding. Separate dies are bonded to a common wafer. An advantageous feature of the die-to-wafer bonding is that the size of the dies may be smaller than the size of chips on the wafer.

Recently, through-silicon-vias (TSVs), also referred to as through-wafer vias, are increasingly used as a way of implementing 3D IC. Generally, a bottom wafer is bonded to a top wafer. Both wafers include integrated circuits over substrates. The integrated circuits in the bottom wafer are connected to the integrated circuits in the wafer through interconnect structures. The integrated circuits in the wafers are further connected to external pads through through-silicon-vias. The stacked wafers can be subjected to a sawing process to provide a plurality of stacked die structures.

Applicants find that TSVs are surrounded by the silicon substrate. While the operation of the 3D IC, currents flow through the TSVs, generating heat. The generated heat thermally expands the TSVs that stress devices adjacent to the TSVs. The stress may affect physical and/or electrical characteristics of the devices, changing the performances of the 3D IC.

It is understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the disclosure. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. Moreover, the formation of a feature on, connected to, and/or coupled to another feature in the present disclosure that follows may include embodiments in which the features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed interposing the features, such that the features may not be in direct contact. In addition, spatially relative terms, for example, “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” etc. as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) are used for ease of the present disclosure of one features relationship to another feature. The spatially relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device including the features.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary integrated circuit including a conductive structure through a substrate. In FIG. 1, an integrated circuit 100 can include a substrate, e.g., a substrate 101. The substrate 101 can have surfaces 101 a and 101 b. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit 100 may include various passive and active microelectronic devices, such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), complementary MOS (CMOS) transistors, bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), laterally diffused MOS (LDMOS) transistors, high power MOS transistors, FinFET transistors, other types of transistors, and/or any combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the substrate 101 may include an elementary semiconductor including silicon or germanium in crystal, polycrystalline, or an amorphous structure; a compound semiconductor including silicon carbide, gallium arsenic, gallium phosphide, indium phosphide, indium arsenide, and/or indium antimonide; an alloy semiconductor including SiGe, GaAsP, AlInAs, AlGaAs, GaInAs, GaInP, and/or GaInAsP; any other suitable material; or combinations thereof. In at least one embodiment, the alloy semiconductor substrate may have a gradient SiGe feature in which the Si and Ge composition change from one ratio at one location to another ratio at another location of the gradient SiGe feature. In another embodiment, the alloy SiGe is formed over a silicon substrate. In another embodiment, a SiGe substrate is strained. Furthermore, the semiconductor substrate may be a semiconductor on insulator, such as a silicon on insulator (SOI), or a thin film transistor (TFT). In some examples, the semiconductor substrate may include a doped epi layer or a buried layer. In other examples, the compound semiconductor substrate may have a multilayer structure, or the substrate may include a multilayer compound semiconductor structure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the integrated circuit 100 can include at least one conductive structure, e.g., a conductive structure 140 a. The conductive structure 140 a can continuously extend through the substrate 101. At least one sidewall, e.g., a sidewall 141, of the conductive structure 140 a can be spaced from a sidewall, e.g., a sidewall 103, of the substrate 101 by at least an air gap, e.g., an air gap 150.

In some embodiments, the air gap 150 can have a space S₁ that is adjacent to the surface 101 a and a space S₂ that is adjacent to the surface 101 b. The space S₁ can be larger than the space S₂. In other embodiments, the air gap 150 can be disposed around the conductive structure 140 a. In still other embodiments, the air gap 150 can continuously extend through the substrate 101. In yet still other embodiments, the at least one air gap can include a plurality of grooves along the conductive structure 140 a.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in some embodiments the conductive structure 140 a can have a width D₁ that is adjacent to the surface 101 a and a width D₂ that is adjacent to the surface 101 b. The width D₂ can be larger than the width D₁. In some embodiments, the conductive structure 140 a can have a via structure, a contact structure, a single-damascene structure, a dual-damascene structure, a pillar structure, a line structure, a bulk structure, or any other suitable structures. In some embodiments, the conductive structure 140 a can be referred to as a through-silicon-via (TSV) structure.

In some embodiments, the conductive structure 140 a can include, for example, a barrier material (e.g., titanium, titanium-nitride, tantalum, tantalum-nitride, other barrier material, and/or combinations thereof), a conductive material (aluminum, copper, aluminum-copper, polysilicon, other conductive material, and/or combinations thereof), other material that is suitable for forming the conductive structure 140 a, and/or any combinations thereof.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in some embodiments the integrated circuit 100 can include at least one dielectric layer, e.g., a dielectric layer 130 a, between the air gap 150 and the conductive structure 140 a. In other embodiments, the dielectric layer 130 a can be disposed around the conductive structure 140 a. In still other embodiments, a portion of the dielectric layer 130 a that is adjacent to the surface 101 b may directly contact the substrate 101.

In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 130 a can be made of a material including at least one of, for example, oxide, nitride, oxynitride, carbide, oxycarbide, other dielectric materials, and/or any combinations thereof. It is noted that though merely showing a single dielectric layer 130 a in FIG. 1, the scope of this application is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, a multiple-layer dielectric structure can be disposed between the air gap 150 and the conductive structure 140 a.

Referring to FIG. 1, at least one dielectric layer, e.g., a dielectric layer 105 can be disposed over the substrate 101. The dielectric layer 105 can be made of a material including at least one of, for example, silicon oxide, e.g., undoped silicate glass (USG), boron-doped silicate glass (BSG), phosphor-doped silicate glass (PSG), boron-phosphor-doped silicate glass (BPSG), or the like, silicon oxy-nitride, silicon nitride, a low-k material, or any combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 105 can be referred to as an inter-layer dielectric (ILD). It is noted that though merely showing a single dielectric layer 105 in FIG. 1, the scope of this application is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, a multiple-layer dielectric structure can be disposed over the substrate 101.

Referring again to FIG. 1, at least one etch-stop layer, e.g., an etch-stop layer 110 can be disposed over the substrate 101. In some embodiments, the surface 142 of the conductive structure 140 a is not level with the surface 110 a of the etch-stop layer 110. In other embodiments, the etch-stop layer 110 can be made of a material including at least one of, for example, nitride, oxynitride, carbide, oxycarbide, other dielectric materials having an etch selectivity substantially different from that of the dielectric layer 105, and/or any combinations thereof. It is noted that though merely showing a single etch-stop layer 110 in FIG. 1, the scope of this application is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, a multiple-layer etch-stop structure can be disposed over the dielectric layer 105 and the substrate 101.

As noted, the conductive structure 140 a generates heat while a current flowing through the conductive structure 140 a for serving an electrical and/or thermal conduction between two chips. The heat may thermally expand the conductive structure 140 a, which in turn stresses the substrate 101 and/or devices (not shown) which are adjacent to the conductive structure 140 a. The stress may change physical and/or electrical characteristics of the devices. Since the air gap 150 is between the conductive structure 140 a and the substrate 101, the air gap 150 can release and/or reduce the stress resulting from the thermal expansion of the conductive structure 140 a. The stress impact to the devices near to the conductive structure 140 a can be reduced.

It is also noted that the air gap 150 may have a dielectric constant of about 1 that is lower than those of dielectric materials. By using the air gap 150, a parasitic capacitance generated from a current flowing through the conductive structure 140 a can be desirably reduced. A resistance-capacitance (RC) time delay resulting from the conductive structure 140 a can be also reduced.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of forming an integrated circuit including a conductive structure through a substrate. FIGS. 3A-3I are schematic cross-sectional views of an integrated circuit during various fabrication stages. Items of a memory circuit 300 in FIGS. 3A-3I that are the same or similar items of the integrated circuit 100 in FIG. 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, increased by 200. It is understood that FIGS. 2 and 3A-3I have been simplified for a better understanding of the concepts of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be noted that additional processes may be provided before, during, and after the methods of FIGS. 2 and 3A-3I, and that some other processes may only be briefly described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the method 200 can include providing a substrate having a first surface and a second surface (block 210). The method 200 can include forming at least one conductive structure continuously through the substrate. At least one sidewall of the at least one conductive structure is spaced from a sidewall of the substrate by an air gap (block 220).

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3I in conjunction with FIG. 2, an integrated circuit 300 can be fabricated in accordance with the method 200 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, the block 210 can provide a substrate 301. In some embodiments, gates, lightly-doped drains (LDDs), source/drain (S/D) regions, silicides, and/or other transistor structures have been formed over the substrate 301.

Referring again to FIG. 3A, in some embodiments the block 220 can include forming at least one dielectric layer, e.g., a dielectric layer 305, and at least one etch-stop layer, e.g., an etch-stop layer 310, over a surface 301 a of the substrate 301. The substrate 301 can have a surface 302 that is opposite to the surface 301 a. In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 305 and/or the etch-stop layer 310 can be formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), high density plasma CVD, spin-on, or other suitable methods.

In some embodiments, the block 220 can include forming at least one opening through the surface of the substrate. For example, at least one opening, e.g., an opening 315, can be formed through the surface 301 a of the substrate 301 as shown in FIG. 3B. In some embodiments, the opening 315 can be formed through the dielectric layer 305 and the etch-stop layer 310. The opening 315 can have sidewalls 315 a and a bottom 315 b. The opening 315 can expose the sidewalls 303 of the substrate 301. The bottom portions of the sidewalls 315 a of the openings are the sidewalls 303 of the substrate 301. In some embodiments, the opening 315 can be formed by forming a patterned photoresist (not shown) exposing regions that are to be removed. An etch process, e.g., a reactive ion etch (RIE) process, can remove the exposed regions of the etch-stop layer 310, the dielectric layer 305 and the substrate 301. After forming the opening 315, the patterned photoresist can be removed.

In some embodiments, the block 220 can include forming a sacrificial layer on the sidewall of the substrate that is exposed by the opening. For example, a sacrificial layer 320 can be formed on the sidewalls 303 of the substrate 301 that are exposed by the opening 315 as shown in FIG. 3C. In some embodiments, the sacrificial layer 320 can continuously extend from the sidewall 315 a to the bottom 315 b of the opening 315. The sacrificial layer 320 can have portions 320 a and 320 b on the sidewall 315 a and the bottom 315 b of the opening 315, respectively. In other embodiments, the sacrificial layer 320 can continuously extend over the surface of the etch-stop layer 310 to the sidewall 315 a to the bottom 315 b of the opening 315.

In some embodiments, the sacrificial layer 320 can be non-conformally formed on the sidewalls 303 of the substrate 301. For example, the sacrificial layer 320 can have portions 320 a on the sidewalls 303 of the substrate 301. The portion 320 a can have a width W₁ that is adjacent to the surface 301 a and a width W₂ that is adjacent to a bottom 315 b of the opening 315. The width W₁ can be larger than the width W₂.

In some embodiments, the sacrificial layer 320 can be made of a material including at least one of, for example, carbon, nitride, oxynitride, carbide, oxycarbide, other dielectric materials having an etch selectivity substantially different from that of the etch-stop layer 310, and/or any combinations thereof. The sacrificial layer 320 can be formed by, for example, CVD, plasma enhanced CVD (PECVD), other deposition processes, and/or any combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the sacrificial layer 320 can include amorphous carbon and made of ADVANCED PATTERNING FILM™ (APT) PECVD that is commercially available from APPLIED MATERIALS, Inc., CA, U.S.A.

In some embodiments, the block 220 can optionally include substantially removing the sacrificial layer at the bottom of the opening. For example, an etch process 322 can substantially remove the portion 320 b of the sacrificial layer 320 (shown in FIG. 3C) at the bottom 315 b of the opening 315. In some embodiments, the etch process 322 can be an oxygen-containing plasma etch process. In some embodiments, the etch process 322 can also trim other portions of the sacrificial layer 320 while removing the portion 320 b. The sacrificial layer 320 c can remain on the surface of the etch-stop layer 310 and/or the sidewalls 315 a of the opening 315.

As noted, the etch process 322 is optional. In some embodiments, the etch process 322 is omitted. The portion 320 b of the sacrificial layer 320 can be removed by a backside grinding described below in conjunction with FIG. 3I.

In some embodiments, the block 220 can include forming the at least one conductive structure in the at least one opening. For example, at least one dielectric layer, e.g., a dielectric layer 330, and a conductive material 340 can be formed over the sacrificial layer 320 c as shown in FIG. 3E. The dielectric layer 330 can be formed by CVD, high-aspect-ratio process CVD (HARP CVD), HDPCVD, spin-on, and/or other suitable methods. The conductive material 340 can be formed by a CVD, physical vapor deposition (PVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), an electroplating method, and/or other process to fill the opening 315.

Referring to FIG. 3F, a removing process 345 can remove portions of the dielectric layer 330 and the conductive material 340 to expose the sacrificial layer 320 c. The dielectric layer 330 a can be formed around the conductive structure 340 a. In some embodiments, the removing process 345 can include a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) process. The CMP process can polish the conductive material 340 over the sacrificial layer 320 c.

In some embodiments, the block 220 can include substantially removing the sacrificial layer to form the air gap between the sidewall of the substrate and the sidewall of the conductive structure. For example, a removing process 347 can substantially remove the sacrificial layer 320 c (shown in FIG. 3F) to form an air gap 350 between the sidewall 303 of the substrate 301 and the sidewall 341 of the conductive structure 340 a as shown in FIG. 3G. In some embodiments, the removing process 347 can include a dry etch, e.g., an oxygen-containing plasma etch, a wet etch, and/or any combinations thereof.

As described in conjunction with FIG. 3F, the CMP process of the removing process 345 can stop on the sacrificial layer 320 c. Any dish, scratch and/or defect resulting from the CMP process can be stopped on the surface of the sacrificial layer 320 c. Since the sacrificial layer 320 c is substantially removed by the removing process 347, the dish, scratch and/or defect on the sacrificial layer 320 c are removed. Dish, scratch and/or defect can be prevented from being formed on the etch-stop layer 310.

Referring to FIG. 3H, an interconnect structure 360 can be formed over the conductive structure 340 a for electrical connection. The interconnect structure 360 can seal the air gap 350. In some embodiments, the interconnect structure 360 can include a plurality of interconnection layers (not shown) spaced by a plurality of isolation layers. The interconnection layers can have a material such as copper, aluminum, tungsten, titanium, tantalum, other conductive material, and/or combinations thereof. The isolation layers can include a material such as oxide, nitride, oxynitride, low dielectric constant (low-k) dielectric, ultra-low-k dielectric, other dielectric, and/or combinations.

In some embodiments, the integrated circuit 300 can include a passivation structure (not labeled) and at least one pad structure (not labeled) formed over the interconnect structure 360. The passivation structure can have at least one opening exposing the pad structure. In some embodiments, the passivation structure can include at least one of a dielectric isolation layer and a polymer layer. The dielectric isolation layer can include a material such as oxide, nitride, oxynitride, other dielectric material, and/or combinations thereof. The polymer layer can include a material such as thermoplastic, thermoset, elastomer, coordination polymer, other suitable polymer, and/or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, a bump structure can be formed over the pad. In some embodiments, the bump structure 118 can include a material such as a lead-free alloy (such as gold (Au) or a tin/silver/copper (Sn/Ag/Cu) alloy), a lead-containing alloy (such as a lead/tin (Pb/Sn) alloy), copper, aluminum, aluminum copper, other bump metal material, and/or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the block 220 can include removing a portion of the substrate to expose a portion of the conductive structure. For example, a backside grinding can remove a portion of the substrate 301 to expose a portion of the conductive structure 340 a as shown in FIG. 31. In FIG. 3I, the conductive structure 340 a can be formed through the substrate 301.

In a first embodiment of the application, an integrated circuit includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. At least one conductive structure continuously extends through the substrate. At least one sidewall of the at least one conductive structure is spaced from a sidewall of the substrate by an air gap.

In a second embodiment of the application, a method of forming an integrated circuit includes providing a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. At least one conductive structure is formed, continuously extending through the substrate. At least one sidewall of the at least one conductive structure is spaced from a sidewall of the substrate by an air gap.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 

1. An integrated circuit comprising: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface; and at least one conductive structure continuously extending through the substrate, wherein at least one sidewall of the at least one conductive structure is spaced from a sidewall of the substrate by an air gap.
 2. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the air gap has a first space adjacent to the first surface and a second space adjacent to the second surface, and the first space is larger than the second space.
 3. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the air gap is around the at least one conductive structure.
 4. The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising: at least one dielectric layer disposed around the at least one conductive structure.
 5. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductive structure comprises at least one through-silicon-via (TSV) structure.
 6. The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising: an etch-stop layer disposed over the first surface of the substrate, wherein a surface of the at least one conductive layer is not level with a surface of the etch-stop layer.
 7. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductive structure has a first width adjacent to the first surface and a second width adjacent to the second surface, and the second width is larger than the first width.
 8. An integrated circuit comprising: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface; and at least one conductive structure continuously extending through the substrate, wherein at least one sidewall of the at least one conductive structure is spaced from a sidewall of the substrate by an air gap, the air gap is around the at least one conductive structure, the air gap has a first space adjacent to the first surface and a second space adjacent to the second surface, and the first space is larger than the second space.
 9. The integrated circuit of claim 8, further comprising: at least one dielectric layer disposed around the at least one conductive structure.
 10. The integrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the at least one conductive structure comprises at least one through-silicon-via (TSV) structure.
 11. The integrated circuit of claim 8, further comprising: an etch-stop layer disposed over the first surface of the substrate, wherein a surface of the at least one conductive layer is not level with a surface of the etch-stop layer.
 12. The integrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the at least one conductive structure has a first width adjacent to the first surface and a second width adjacent to the second surface, and the second width is larger than the first width.
 13. A method of forming an integrated circuit, the method comprising: providing a substrate; and forming at least one conductive structure continuously extending from a first surface to a second surface of the substrate, wherein at least one sidewall of the at least one conductive structure is spaced from a sidewall of the substrate by an air gap.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein forming the at least one conductive structure comprises: forming at least one opening through the first surface of the substrate; forming a sacrificial layer on the sidewall of the substrate that is exposed by the at least one opening; forming the at least one conductive structure in the at least one opening; substantially removing the sacrificial layer to form the air gap between the sidewall of the substrate and the at least one sidewall of the at least one conductive structure; and removing a portion of the substrate to expose a portion of the at least one conductive structure.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the sacrificial layer is non-conformal on the sidewall of the substrate that is exposed by the at least one opening.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the sacrificial layer has a first width adjacent to the first surface of the substrate and a second width adjacent to a bottom of the at least one opening, and the first width is larger than the second width.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the sacrificial layer continuously extends from a sidewall to a bottom of the at least one opening, and the method further comprises: substantially removing the sacrificial layer at the bottom of the at least one opening.
 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: forming at least one dielectric layer between the sacrificial layer and the at least one conductive structure.
 19. The method of claim 14, further comprising: forming an etch-stop layer over the first surface of the substrate, wherein a surface of the at least one conductive layer is not level with a surface of the etch-stop layer.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one conductive structure has a first width adjacent to the first surface of the substrate and a second width adjacent to the second surface of the substrate, and the second width is larger than the first width. 